Method and apparatus for flattening wide boards

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides an apparatus, method and kit to flatten wide boards with an apparatus. The apparatus comprises two sets of rails, one set spanning laterally and the second set spanning longitudinally. The second set of rails is operative to move along the first set of rails by use of short members attached to the second set that interface with the first set of rails. Then, a carriage is operative to sit on top of the second set of rails and move along them. This is done by the carriage arms engaged on the second set of rails.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of a woodworkingdevice to flatten wide boards. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to a power tool guide system with a first set of tracks to guidethe tool. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a router guidesystem with a first set of tracks to guide the router and a second setof tracks used to guide the first set of tracks.

BACKGROUND Background Information

Wood slabs can make great furniture and statement pieces in a home oroffice. At times, a wood slab may either be cut length wise or widthwise with respect to a tree in order to expose a live edge. Live edge ornatural edge is a style of furniture where the furniture designer orcraftsperson incorporates a natural edge of the wood into the design ofthe piece. Traditionally this is done by leaving the outer layer of thebark or shape of the wood intact so that one may appreciate the beautyof the tree from which it came.

It is common for live edge furniture to incorporates lower grade wood,or wood that is not able to be used in other traditional woodworkingapplications. This may include Alligator Juniper, mesquite, drift woodof various varieties, reclaimed wood that has been previously treated aswell as other salvaged wood. Some artisans prefer to leave the naturalholes within the wood as well as the cracks in the wood while otherartists fill them with resins. There are special challenges involved inworking with these types of wood, and several methods for live edge havedeveloped.

Nevertheless, in many cases, no matter in what way the initial wood iscut, it is generally a bit ragged and potentially splinter-filled. Inorder to prepare the wood for a table top or other surface, a lengthysanding process may be implored to even the slab up so that the tablesits level and is substantially free of any sharp edges. However, onemust be very careful doing this as there is a risk of disturbing thenatural bark finish, and a danger in removing sharp spots and othersplinters to the sander themselves. Many of the most aestheticallypleasing slabs may be too large to go through a traditional planer orsander, and end grain slabs with a live edge should not go through aplaner as it may distort the desired live edge.

Routers are used frequently in the woodworking trades to make straightcuts along a piece of wood, such as a wood slab. By allowing a router tobe movable, it turns into an exceedingly powerful tool capable of makingprecise edges, flat surfaces, decorative designs, dadoes, and grooves.Powered hand held routers have become a common woodworking tool used byboth professionals and hobbyists alike.

However, a powered router is difficult to keep in a straight line and toprecisely control when cutting gnarled or other non-straight wood. Timeis often spent making customized guides or patterns for specific routercutting operations. These custom guides then need to be attached to thewood by several separate clamping means.

Several devices exist within the art to help guide a router. However,these devices generally consist of a table with a router and guidancesystem for the router. The table is attached to at least two sides ofthe wood and a rudimentary track system generally runs over the woodallowing the router to be slideably attached to the track system whichallows the router to slides over and cuts the top surface of the wood.

These devices are often bulky. As such, these devices are generallyfound only in dedicated woodworking shops, and are often quite expensiveand consequently cost prohibitive for an individual, or a hobbyist whodoes not utilize the device frequently. Additionally, these devices arealso limited by their size to the size of the wood on which they can beutilized.

However, these devices all are time consuming to operate and set up,generally expensive, involve copious physical exertion to set up andtear down, are unreliable, and are prone to slipping or causinginjuries. Countless damage is caused every year by power tool accidents.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure may provide for an apparatus foraltering boards comprising a first set of rails extending in a firstdirection, a second set of rails carried by the first set of rails thatare perpendicular to the first set of rails extending in a seconddirection, a carriage carried by the second set of rails, a first lowfriction interface between the first set of rails and the second set ofrails, and a second low friction interface between the second set ofrails and the carriage.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure may provide for a method forprocessing boards comprising: placing a board between a first set ofrails extending in a transverse manner, at least one rail having aguide, orienting a second set of rails on top of and perpendicular tothe first set, said second set of rails extending in a longitudinalmanner, at least one rail having a guide, wherein there is a first lowfriction interface between the first set of rails and the second set ofrails, attaching a power tool to a carriage coupled to the second set ofrails, wherein there is a second low friction interface between thesecond set of rails and the carriage, contacting the board with animplement connected to the power tool, altering the board by manuallyand physically moving the carriage longitudinally along the second setof rails via the second low friction interface allowing the implement tocontact the board, and further altering the board physically moving thesecond set of rails transversely along first set of rails via the firstlow friction interface allowing the implement to contact the board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the followingdescription, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanyingdrawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part ofthe specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and otherexample embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will beappreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groupsof boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of theboundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that insome examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or thatmultiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, anelement shown as an internal component of another element may beimplemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore,elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view of an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded right front perspective view of anexemplary apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a right front perspective view of an exemplary rail.

FIG. 4 is a right front perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofan exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a right front perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of an exemplary apparatus.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A new device and method of operation thereof is depicted in the presentdisclosure and throughout FIGS. 1-5 . Device 10 is a new and improvedapparatus that may be used to alter or flatten wide boards, as will bediscussed hereafter.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a front right perspective view of an exemplaryslab flattening mill device 10 is shown. The slab flattening mill device10 has a first rail system including a first set of rails, 12, 14. Thefirst set of rails 12, 14 extend in a transverse manner and are definedby a first end 12A, 14A and a second end 12B, 14B, respectively. In oneparticular embodiment, the first set of rails 12, 14 run parallel to oneanother.

Each rail also respectively contains an outer side 12C, 14C, an innerside second side 12D, 14D. The outer sides 12C, 14C and inner sides 12D,14D are identical to one another. Each of the outer sides 12C, 14C andinner sides 12D, 14D contain a pair of substantially rectangular cubicshaped tracks 16A, 16B separated by a T-shaped member 18 in between. Thepair of tracks 16A, 16B are engagable by various connectors to allowthem to be in in rigid contract with the rails 12, 14.

Further, each rail 12, 14 respectively contains a bottom side 12E, 14E,that is relatively flat and a top side 12F, 14F. In alternativeembodiments, the bottom may be grooved or have other projections andrecesses as may be desired by an end user. At the top side of each rail12F, 14F there is an inverted V-shaped guide channel 12G, 14G at itsapex 12H, 14H that extends along the length of each rail which will beexplained later with respect to the rails and engagement of otherfurther exemplary rails. At each first end 12A, 14A and second end 12B,14B, there may be a bracket 20 located there. The bracket 20 isoperative to connect to the first end 12A, 14A or second end 12B, 14Band have a slot or other aperture 20A within it. The slot or otheraperture 20A may have a screw 20B or other similarly situated fasteningdevice. The screw or other similarly situated fastening device 20B maybe adapted to attach to a surface that the rails 12, 14 may be attachedto in order to secure them to said surface.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the slab flattening mill device 10has a second rail system including a second set of rails, 22, 24. Thesecond set of rails 22, 24 extend in a longitudinal manner and aredefined by a first end 22A, 24A, and a second end 22B, 24B. The secondset of rails 22, 24 run parallel to one another and perpendicular to thefirst set of rails 12, 14.

Each rail in the second set also respectively contains an outer side orfirst side 22C, 24C, an inner side or second side 22D, 24D. The outersides 22C, 24C and inner sides 22D, 24D are identical to one another.Each of the outer sides 22C, 24C and inner sides 22D, 24D contain a pairof substantially rectangular cubic shaped tracks 16A, 16B identical tothose in the first set of rails 12, 14 separated by the same T-shapedmember 18 in between the cubic shaped tracks 16A, 16B. Like in the firstset of rails 12, 14 the pair of tracks 16A, 16B are engagable by variousconnectors to allow them to be in in rigid contract with the rails 22,24. Further, each rail 22, 24 respectively contains a bottom side 22E,24E, that is relatively flat and a top side 22F, 24F. In alternativeembodiments, the bottom may be grooved or have other projections andrecesses as may be desired by an end user. At the top side of each rail22F, 24F there is an inverted V-shaped guide channel 22G, 24G at itsapex 22H, 24H that extends along the length of each rail. At each firstend 22A, 24A and second end 22B, 24B, there may be an end cap 26located. The end cap 26 is operative to cover its respective end 22A,24A, 22B, 24B as well as prevent movement as will be described later.

Additionally, there is located a first slide member 28 which abuts belowtransversely between the first ends of the second set of rails, 22A,24A. The slide member is so named as to delineate it from the rails 22,24 themselves. The first slide member 28 has a first end 28A, a secondend 28B and a lateral distance defined therebetween. Additionally, theslide member is defined by its top 28C, bottom 28D, outer side 28E andinner side 28F. The first end 28A and second end 28B may both have acover 30 located on their face and attached to the first end and secondend by a screw, rivet, adhesive or otherwise engagable device. The top28C of the first slide member 28 may define apertures and a generallyplanar surface. The bottom 28D may be generally a V-shape. In reality,the shape on of exemplary bottom 28D may be any shape that iscomplementary to the shape of the top sides 12F, 14F, of the first railsystem. The bottom 28D may contain friction reducing compounds or defineall of a portion of a low friction interface operative to allow theslide member to slide along the apexes 12H, 14H. These compounds mayinclude, but are not limited to, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW)polyethylene tape, polytetraflouoroethylene (PTFE) tape, or other films,extruded films, skived film or foam type coatings. As used herein,friction reducing compounds and low friction interface refers tosurfaces or components having static and/or kinetic a coefficient offriction less than 0.2. The first side or outer side 28E, and the innerside or second side 28F are identical to one another. Each of the firstand second sides 28E, 28F contain a single substantially rectangularcubic shaped track 31 located intermediate between the top 28C andbottom 28D. Similar to those described with the first set of rails 12,14 the track 31 is engagable by various connectors to allow them to bein in rigid contract with the first slide member 28. One such contactmay be a safety stop 32. Other connections may be a first supportbracket 34 and a second support bracket 36.

The first slide member 28 is operative to be engagably connected to thefirst ends of the second set of rails 22, 24 by a rivet, screw, orotherwise attachable device. The rivet, screw, or otherwise attachabledevice in an exemplary embodiment may pass through an aperture withinthe slide member 28 defined as through the top 28C and bottom 28D andattaching to the rail 22, 24. As a result of this engagable connection,the first slide member 28 is in fixed engagement to the first ends ofthe second set of rails, 22A, 24A. Additionally, there is located asecond slide member 38 which spans transversely between the second endsof the second set of rails, 22B, 24B. The second slide member 38 has afirst end 38A, a second end 38B and a lateral distance definedtherebetween. Additionally, the second short member is defined by itstop 38C, bottom 38D, outer side 38E and inner side 38F. The first end38A and second end 38B may both have a cover 30 located on their faceand attached to the first end and second end by a screw, rivet, adhesiveor otherwise engagable device.

The top 38C of the second slide member 38 may include apertures and agenerally planar surface. The bottom 38D may be generally a V-shape. Inreality, the shape on of exemplary bottom 38D may be complementary tothe shape of the top sides 12F, 14F, of the first rail system. Thebottom 38D may contain friction reducing compounds operative to allowthe slide member to slide along the apexes 12H, 14H. These compounds mayinclude, but are not limited to, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW)polyethylene tape, polytetraflouoroethylene (PTFE) tape, or other films,extruded films, skived film or foam type coatings. In one embodiment,the first side or outer side 38E, and the inner side or second side 38Fare identical to one another. Each of the first and second sides 38E,38F contain a single substantially rectangular cubic shaped track 31located intermediate between the top 38C and bottom 38D. Similar tothose described with the first set of rails 12, 14 the track 31 isengagable by various connectors to allow them to be in in rigid contractwith the second slide member 38. One such contact may be a furthersafety stop 32. Other connections may be a further first support bracket34 and a further second support bracket 36.

The second slide member 38 is operative to be engagably connected to thefirst ends of the second set of rails 22, 24 by a rivet, screw, orotherwise attachable device. The rivet, screw, or otherwise attachabledevice in an exemplary embodiment may pass through an aperture withinthe second slide member 38 defined as through the top 38C and bottom 38Dand attaching to the rail 22, 24. As a result of this engagableconnection, the first slide member 38 is in fixed engagement to thefirst ends of the second set of rails, 22A, 24A. As such, the slidemembers 28, 38 are operative to allow the second rail system 22, 24 tomove along the first rail system 12, 14 in a transverse manner.

Further shown in FIG. 1 is a carriage 40. The carriage 40 has a firstcarriage arm 42 on a first side of the carriage 40A and a secondcarriage arm 44 on a second side of the carriage 40B. Each carriage arm42, 44 at its bottom 42A, 44A has a generally V shape. The shape on ofexemplary bottom 42A, 44A may be complementary to the shape of the topsides 22F, 24F, of the second rail system. The bottom of each carriagearm 42A, 44A may contain friction reducing compounds or define all or aportion of a low friction interface operative to allow the slide memberto slide along the apexes 22H, 24H. These compounds may include, but arenot limited to, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene tape,polytetraflouoroethylene (PTFE) tape, or other films, extruded films,skived film or foam type coatings.

One exemplary embodiment shown contains an inverted V-shaped guidechannel and a complementary V-shaped guide channel for purposes ofillustration. Further exemplary embodiments provide for any shape knownin the art, including but not limited to, C-shaped and complementaryinverted C-shaped, M (or W) shaped and complementary inverted M (orW)-shaped, N-shaped and complementary inverted N-shaped, and/or U-shapedand complementary inverted U-shaped. In further embodiments, there maynot be a shape whatsoever and may instead be a low friction contactbetween rails and its respective engagement.

Each carriage arm 42, 44 on its top surface 428, 448, also contains auser handle 42C, 44C. The carriage arms also have a first end 420,440and a second end 42E, 44E. At each end of the carriage arms 420, 440,42E, 44E there may be a cover 46 located on their respective faces andattach to the first end and second end by a screw, rivet, adhesive orotherwise engagable device.

Each carriage arm 42, 44 has an internal side 42F, 44F and an externalside 42G, 44G. The internal side 42F, 44F is operative to be connectedto a through-hole 48 containing member. The connection may be a screw,rivet, or otherwise attaching device. The through-hole is operative toaccept a power tool such as a router. The power tool is attached to thevarious apertures 48A around the through-hole 48, thereby attaching thetool to the carriage 40.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a partially exploded front right perspectiveview of an exemplary device is shown. As may be seen, attached to theends of the first rail 12A, 12B and second rail 14A, 14B is attached arebrackets 20. In the exemplary embodiment the brackets are attached tothe rail via three screws 50 each. In alternative embodiments there maybe an adhesive or rivets or other attaching means.

The second set of rails, 22, 24 are attached to the first slide member28 and second slide member 38 at their respective bottoms 22E, 24E. Inalternative embodiments these may be attached by a screw, an adhesive orrivets or other attaching means. Then, the track 31 is engaged byvarious eyelets 54 and screws 56 that allow the first support 34 andsecond support 36 to further connect the slide members 28, 38 to the setof second rails 22, 24. Further, the stop 32 is secured to the slidemembers 28, 38 via screws 58 and a locking nut (not shown).

Further, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape 60 is shown onthe bottoms of the first slide member 28D and the bottom of the firstarm 42A. This can define all of or merely a portion of the low frictioninterface. It is similarly distributed on the second slide member 38, onthe bottom 38D and on the second arm 44, on its bottom as well 44A.

Additionally, the handle on the first arm 42C is shown exploded. Thehandle is secured with a screw 62 and a spacer 64. The screw 62 travelsfrom bottom 42A to top 42B passing through the spacer 64 and is inengagement with the bottom of the handle 42C. The construction of thesecond arm handle 44C, is similar but is not shown.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , an exemplary rail is shown. This rail is thetype of rail that is used for the first rail 12, second rail 14 withinthe first device and the first rail 22, and second rail 24 within thesecond system. As shown, there pair of substantially rectangular cubicshaped tracks 16A, 16B separated by a T-shaped member in between 18.

Referring to the first rail 12, the top 12F and apex 12H of the rail isshown along with the engaging top portion 12G. The engaging top portion12G is complementary to the bottom of both the slide members 28D, 38D aswell as complementary to bottom of the first arm 42A and second arm 44A.As such, they may move across one another in slidable fashion. The outerside 12C and inner side 12D contain identical substantially rectangularcubic shaped tracks 16A, 16B separated by T-shaped members in between18. Additionally, the triangular-like shape of the grooves in the bottomof the rails 12E is shown in this view. It should be understood that allother cross sections of rails 14, 22, 24 are identical and are notrepeated piece by piece for the purposes of brevity.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a second embodiment is shown in a front rightperspective view in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosuregenerally indicated as 110. Device 110 differs from device 10 (shown inFIGS. 1-3 ) in that the device 100 has an extended first rail pair 12,14 through the use of a further rail system 112, 114 as compared to theprevious embodiment. Rail system 112, 114 extends first set of rails 12,14 in a further transverse manner and is attached at either a first end12A, 14A to a first end of the further rail system 112A, 114A or to asecond end of the further rail system 112B, 114B, or to the second end12B, 14B by a first end of the further rail system 112A, 114A or to asecond end of the further rail system 112B, 114B when brackets 20 areremoved from the first set of rails 12, 14. This attachment occurs byuse of a set of spanners, 116.

Each further rail also contains an outer side 112C, 114C, an inner sidesecond side 112D, 114D. The outer sides 112C, 114C and inner sides 12D,14D are identical to one another. Each of the outer sides 1120, 114C andinner sides 112D, 114D contain a pair of substantially rectangular cubicshaped tracks 116A, 116B separated by a T-shaped member in between 118.The spanners 116 are slid into the substantially rectangular cubicshaped tracks on both the first set of rails 16A, 16B and the second setof rails 116A, 116B. Then, a screw or other securing device is placedthrough the aperture to the spanner 116C, and the first set of rails 12,14 is then fixedly secured to the second set of rails 112, 114. In analternative embodiment, there may be as few as one or as many as aninfinite number of further rail systems, depending on the length ofboard desired to be milled flat or otherwise altered.

Further, each rail 112, 114 contains a bottom side 112E, 114E, that isrelatively flat and a top side 112F, 114F. In alternative embodiments,the bottom may be grooved or have other projections and recesses as maybe desired by an end user. At the top side of each rail 112F, 114F thereis an inverted V-shaped guide channel 112G, 114G at its apex 112H, 114Hthat extends along the length of each rail.

At each end 12A, 14A, 112A, 114A, whichever side is not attached to thespanners, there may be a bracket 20 located at the end. As in the firstembodiment, the bracket 20 is operative to connect to the ends 12A, 14A,112A, 114A and may have a slot or other aperture 20A within it. The slotor other aperture 20A may have a screw 20B or other similarly situatedfastening device. The screw or other similarly situated fastening device20B may be adapted to attach to a surface that the rails 12, 14, 112,114 may be attached to in order to secure them to said surface.

Having thus described an exemplary non-limiting configuration of thedevice 10, its operation will be discussed with reference to someexemplary features used with the device 10.

A board that is desired to be processed is placed laterally between thefirst set of rails 12, 14. Then, a power tool, for example, a router isattached to the various apertures 48A around the through-hole 48,thereby attaching the tool to the carriage 40. The through hole allowsthe operation of the power tool to make contact with the board orsurface underneath with an implement of the power tool.

A user may then glide or slide the tool with the carriage 40 in alongitudinal manner by manually or physically manipulating the handles42C, 44C on the first and second arms 42, 44. The operation of thesliding is very smooth as a result of the low friction interfaceeffectuated by the tape 60 or other material applied to the bottom ofthe arms 42A, 44A allowing them to move freely about the guide 22G, 24Gand apexes 22H, 24H of the second set of rails from the first end 22A,24A to the second end 22B, 24B. The safety stops 32 attached to outerends 28E, 38E the short slide members 28, 38 respectively prevent thecarriage 40 from extending beyond the length of the rails 22 and 24.

After making as many passes in a longitudinal manner with the tool asdesired, the user may then guide the tool in a transverse manner therebymoving the bottom of the first slide member 28D and second slide member38D along the guide of the guide 12G, 14G and apexes 12H, 14H of thesecond set of rails from the first end 12A, 14A to the second end 12B,14B. Similar to the bottom of the arms 42A, 44A, the low frictioninterface effectuated by the tape 60 or other material allows the slidemembers 28, 38 to glide freely about the guides 12G, 14G. The brackets20 attached to the end of the first end 12A, 14A and second end 12B, 14Bprevent the slide members 28, 38 from extending beyond the ends 12A,12B, 14A, 14B. As such, the user may move in a transverse manner alongthe first set of rails 12, 14 and in a longitudinal manner along thesecond set of rails 22, 24 to cover every portion of the board that isdesired to be processed. Therefore, is moving in a two axis plane. Thetwo axis plane may be any of x,y; x,y; y,x; y,z; z,x; and z,y dependingon the orientation of the rails.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment showing a sweeper 66and an attached tool 68 is shown. The sweeper 66 has a semi-cylindricalbrush 66A and an aperture 66B which is generally cylindrical in shape.The brush 66A includes bristles operative to sweep or wisp away debrisfrom the tool 68. The aperture 66B is adaptable to be connected to anexternal vacuum system. As such, the sweeper 66 is able to keep the worksurface clean and free of any debris. The external vacuum system may beengaged simultaneous to working or at any time during which there isdebris to clean.

The sweeper 66 has a generally abbreviated oval shape, curved in thefront 66C and truncated on the back end 66D. The sweeper 66 is attachedto an end 42D, 44D or 42E, 44E of the arms of the carriage 40 at itsback end 66D. The sweeper 66 generally sits offset of the second set ofrails 22, 24 and outside of the space between the second set of rails22, 24, and moves as one with the carriage 40. As such, it remainsbetween the first set of rails 12, 14 via the safety stops 32 operativeto stop the carriage 40 from moving beyond the length of the second setof rails 12, 14. However, other positions are contemplated but not shownin the figures.

The sweeper 66 is operative to be attached prior to the cover 46. Thecover 46 is then attached over top of the sweeper engagement. The top ofthe sweeper 66E is generally flat until coming to an incline to make aconnection with the end 42D, 44D or 42E, 44E.

Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods,of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and inthe claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used hereinin the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understoodto mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elementsthat are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively presentin other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification andin the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., theinclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a numberor list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Onlyterms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentiallyof,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used inthe field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as“under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under”can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used hereinfor the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussedherein could be termed a first feature/element without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure.Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,”or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiments is includedin at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, ofthe invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “oneembodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “otherembodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to beincluded. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element,that does not mean there is only one of the element. If thespecification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does notpreclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, any method of performing the present disclosure may occurin a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, nosequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitlystated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of themethod in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of thedisclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for altering a board comprising: afirst set of rails having a first pair of parallel rails extending in afirst direction, each rail of the first pair of parallel rails having aninverted v-shaped guide on a top surface thereof; a second set of railscarried by the first set of rails, the second set of rails having asecond pair of parallel rails extending in a second direction that isperpendicular to the first direction, each rail of the second pair ofparallel rails having a first end and a second end, and each rail of thesecond pair of parallel rails having an inverted v-shaped guide on a topsurface thereof; a pair of slide members comprising a first slide memberdisposed at the first end of each of the second pair of parallel railsand a second slide member disposed at the second end of each of thesecond pair of parallel rails, wherein the first slide member and thesecond slide member have an inverted v-shaped channel defined in abottom surface thereof to permit the first and second slide members toengage the inverted v-shaped guide on the top surface of the first pairof parallel rails, and wherein the first and second slide membersinterface between the first pair of parallel rails and the second pairof parallel rails; and a carriage carried by the second set of rails,wherein the carriage is adapted to retain a power tool, and the carriagecomprising a first carriage arm and a second carriage arm, wherein eachof the first carriage arm and the second carriage arm include a topsurface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of each of thefirst carriage arm and the second carriage arm has an inverted v-shapedchannel, wherein the inverted v-shaped channel on the first carriage armengages the inverted v-shaped guide on the top surface of one rail ofthe second pair of parallel rails and the inverted v-shaped channel onthe second carriage arm engages the inverted v-shaped guide on the topsurface of the other rail of the second pair of parallel rails; and afirst handle extending upward from the top surface of the first carriagearm and a second handle extending upward from the top surface of thesecond carriage arm, wherein the first handle and the second handlepermit manual manipulation of the power tool to alter the board.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first low friction interfacebetween the first set of rails and the second set of rails; and a secondlow friction interface between the second set of rails and the first andsecond carriage arms.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first lowfriction interface is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first low frictioninterface and a second low friction interface, wherein each of the firstlow friction interface and the second low friction interface are a tapeformed from one of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene andpolytetraflouoroethylene (PTFE) having a coefficient of friction lessthan 0.2.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, where the first set of rails areoperative to be anchored to a surface, wherein the surface is differentthan that of a board being processed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one groove in each rail of the first pair ofparallel rails defines a rectangular cubic shaped track; and wherein theat least one groove in each rail of the second pair of parallel railsdefines a rectangular cubic shaped track.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a sweeper attached to the carriage adjacent to thepower tool and the sweeper operative to sweep debris generated byaltering a board, and the carriage is adapted to be engaged with avacuum.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sweeper furtherincludes: a front end of the sweeper and a back end of the sweeper,wherein the sweeper has a substantially abbreviated oval shape with thefront end of the sweeper being curved and the back end being truncated.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sweeper further includes asemi-cylindrical brush.
 10. A method for processing a piece of woodcomprising: placing a piece of wood between a first set of railsextending in a transverse manner, at least one of the first set of railshaving a guide; orienting a second set of rails on top of andperpendicular to the first set of rails, said second set of railsextending in a longitudinal manner, at least one of the second set ofrails having a guide, wherein there is a first low friction interfacebetween the first set of rails and the second set of rails, wherein thefirst low friction interface is a tape formed from one of ultra-highmolecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene and polytetraflouoroethylene(PTFE); attaching a power tool to a carriage coupled to the second setof rails, wherein there is a second low friction interface between thesecond set of rails and the carriage and wherein the second low frictioninterface is a tape formed from one of UHMW polyethylene and PTFE;contacting the piece of wood with an implement connected to the powertool; altering the piece of wood by manually and physically moving thecarriage longitudinally along the second set of rails via the second lowfriction interface while allowing the implement to contact the piece ofwood, wherein manually and physically moving the carriage longitudinallyalong the second set of rails is accomplished while grasping a firsthandle that extends upward from a top surface of a first carriage armand grasping a second handle that extends upward from a top surface of asecond carriage arm; and further altering the piece of wood by manuallyand physically moving the second set of rails transversely along thefirst set of rails via the first low friction interface while allowingthe implement to contact the piece of wood, wherein manually andphysically moving the second set of rails transversely along the firstset of rails is accomplished while grasping the first handle extendingupward from the top surface of the first carriage arm and grasping thesecond handle extending upward from the top surface of the secondcarriage arm.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: securingthe first set of rails to a surface other than the piece of wood priorto attaching the power tool to the carriage.
 12. The method of claim 10,further comprising: vacuuming debris generated by altering the piece ofwood with a vacuum attached adjacent to the power tool.
 13. The methodof claim 10, further comprising: sweeping debris generated by alteringthe piece of wood with a sweeper that is connected to the carriage. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the sweeper includes a front end of thesweeper and a back end of the sweeper, wherein the sweeper has asubstantially abbreviated oval shape with the front end of the sweeperbeing curved and the back end being truncated.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein the sweeper further includes a semi-cylindrical brush. 16.An apparatus for altering a board comprising: a first set of railshaving a first pair of parallel rails extending in a first direction,each rail of the first pair of parallel rails having angled top surfacesthat define an inverted substantially v-shaped guide; a second set ofrails carried by the first set of rails, the second set of rails havinga second pair of parallel rails extending in a second direction that isperpendicular to the first direction, each rail of the second pair ofparallel rails having a first end and a second end, and each rail of thesecond pair of parallel rails having angled top surfaces that define aninverted substantially v-shaped guide; a pair of slide memberscomprising a first slide member disposed at the first end of each of thesecond pair of parallel rails and a second slide member disposed at thesecond end of each of the second pair of parallel rails, wherein thefirst slide member and the second slide member have angled bottomsurfaces that define an inverted substantially v-shaped channel topermit the first and second slide members to engage the invertedsubstantially v-shaped guide on the first pair of parallel rails, andwherein the first and second slide members interface between the firstpair of parallel rails and the second pair of parallel rails; and acarriage carried by the second set of rails, wherein the carriage isadapted to retain a power tool, and the carriage comprising a firstcarriage arm and a second carriage arm, wherein each of the firstcarriage arm and the second carriage arm include a top surface andangled bottom surfaces, wherein the angled bottom surfaces of each ofthe first carriage arm and the second carriage arm defines an invertedsubstantially v-shaped channel, wherein the inverted substantiallyv-shaped channel on the first carriage arm engages the invertedsubstantially v-shaped guide on one rail of the second pair of parallelrails and the inverted substantially v-shaped channel on the secondcarriage arm engages the inverted v-shaped guide on the other rail ofthe second pair of parallel rails; and a first handle extending upwardfrom the top surface of the first carriage arm and a second handleextending upward from the top surface of the second carriage arm,wherein the first handle and the second handle permit manualmanipulation of the power tool to alter the board.